The word geothermal comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). So, geothermal energy is heat from within the earth. We can use the steam and hot water produced inside the earth to heat buildings or generate electricity. Geothermal energy is a renewable energy source because the water is replenished by rainfall and the heat is continuously produced inside the earth.

1 College Circle has two geothermal wells. They are used to provide 2/3 of the heating and cooling for the house. While modified systems, they provide enough energy to heat and cool the second and third floors.

Other geothermal facts of interest:

California has 33 geothermal power plants and is the largest producer of geothermal energy in the world.

The EPA has determined that geothermal heat pumps are the most energy efficient, environmentally clean and cost effective systems for temperature control.

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on Friday, September 5th, 2008 at 8:15 am by Jennifer O'Donnell and is filed under Energy & Fuel.
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11 Responses to “Geothermal wells? Yep, we have ‘em.”

Could you provide some more details? Are these ground source heat pumps? How deep are they buried (I realize two common configurations are vertical (based on drilling) or horizontal (at about 2 meters depth)? Does the statement that there are two of these mean that both configurations are being evaluated? If they are ground source heat pups, the comparison with the geothermal electricity generation plants in CA is not quite relevant.

There are some significant developments happening in Geothermal. Australia has it’s 4th fractured rock well being drilled to over 4000 metres. They also have a shallow (1200m) system running a fair bit of the town supply, so if implemented correctly, I see no reason why this renewable energy source could not have an impact on localised power generation.